30. As of late — edition two
A little roundup of the things I’m loving/listening to/reading/learning/watching/you name it as of late.
I really wanted to write something deep, introspective, and inspiring this week — but turns out, I don’t have anything particularly deep, introspective, and inspiring to share.
(It be like that sometimes).
So, today, it’s time for another edition of As of Late — a little roundup of the things I’m loving/listening to/reading/learning/watching/you name it as of late.
Enjoy 👯♀️
1. My emotional support water bottle: Okay, I hate to be a #cupgirlie. I really, really do hate to be one. However, as someone who is truly, deeply HORRIFIC at drinking water, sometimes I need to purchase myself things in order to influence myself into doing so. I have a Stanley cup (it’s fine!), a Simple Modern cup (I like this one but it leaks so much), and an Owala (I love it for travel SO much because it closes up and doesn’t spill).
I am so embarrassed to type this LOL, but none of these cups had really… been what I wanted?! None of them had a soft straw, were leakproof, or felt sturdy. My Stanley is super scratched, my Simple Modern cup spills, and I love the Owala on trips but prefer a straw for the day to day.
Enter: my Brumate Era cup. She’s everything I’ve wanted in a cup. It’s made SO well — almost too well, considering I couldn’t figure out how to open it at first — keeps things so cold, and truly does not spill a drop. I’ve found my emotional support water bottle, and I’m THRILLED about it. You can buy them here and here (I have the Rose Taupe one).
2. Quiet on Set: As a child of the early 2000s, I grew up watching The Amanda Show, Zoey 101, and Drake & Josh — and then kept watching Victorious and iCarly with my little sister up until I was way in high school. I started this documentary series last week on MAX and have been absolutely horrified at it. It chronicles the era of Dan Schneider at Nickelodeon, and also the overall experiences of everyone from the child actors to the writing staff — and it’s phenomenally done. I’m not done yet (watching it slowly because it’s rough), but highly recommend.
(Also, it almost goes without saying, but trigger warnings abound.)
3. I really, really loved this episode of the Mel Robbins Podcast — 13 Things I Wish I Knew in My 20s — and I think *everyone* can benefit from a listen.
4. Random Amazon purchases that I’m loving:
I’ve been having horrible eye issues that I attribute to allergies and being on a screen WAY too much, and a friend recommended this contact solution that’s actually made the biggest difference (!!!) for me during the day. Plus, as she told me, it’s like a little science experiment!
My vet told me it was time for my dog Holly (she’s 7.5) to start taking a joint supplement every day — and I got this as an alternative that doesn’t involve me trying to bribe her into a pill or chew every day. She loves it, and we’re on our 3rd container! I have it on Autoship. (She also gets 2 pumps of this on her food, too!)
I love #wellnessadvice, and decided to start mouth taping based on the recs of a few friends of mine and of Andrew Huberman (...up next). I’m only a week in and have torn it off by 2 AM every night, but I’ve noticed a serious improvement in the “deep sleep” on my Oura ring during the time that I have it on.
5. I love Andrew Huberman (well…?!) and really do love listening to his podcasts on long drives. I’m definitely not listening to every episode, but I think he’s so good at making boring things… not boring. NY Mag did this expose/takedown of him this week, however, and it’s a pretty good read. While I’m not sure that it completely and totally destroys his credibility, I think we can all agree that he’s probably… a tool? Worth a read if you’re an occasional Huberman gal, too.
6. Kacey Musgraves’ new album. 🥹
7. I know I’ve already talked about it here, but I still haven’t been able to stop thinking about Kristin Hannah’s The Women. I truly loved this book. (Right now, I’m reading Before I Do by Sophie Cousens and really enjoying it. All of her books are so light and sweet if you’re in the mood! I particularly loved This Time Next Year.)
8. Hobbies are SO GOOD FOR YOU, and I truly think we should all have at *least* one. However, it’s always been so hard for me to try things that I know I’m not good at — which is why I loved stumbling upon NPR Life Kit’s show on hobbies, where they said: “ Sucking at something is the first step at being sort of good at something.”
My current I-suck-at-it hobby? Needlepointing. I am absolutely terrible at it (so slow!) but am enjoying the process so much, and I think I have finally found what I needed to get me OFF a screen and into something creative.
9. I am a HUUUUGE fan of Oat Haus (and Ali Bonar, their founder — she’s so fantastic and smart), and was so excited to order a few of their other flavors: namely, the Cookies and Cream and the S’Mores. GUYS. I… can’t even express how good they both are?! The Cookies and Cream tastes just like the cream from the middle of Oreos (with some crunch!) and the S’Mores is 10/10 if you’re obsessed with that flavor like me (but sadly I think it’s gone?!). Run, don’t walk. Truly. (Psst… I also got the Hot Cocoa but if you’re tempted by that, go with Brownie Batter. It’s better.)
I love Sophie Cousens, too! I am glad you mentioned her. I had forgotten how much I loved this time next year. Also, interesting read about Andrew Huberman. Can’t decide if I want to keep listening.